“Everyone tells you that they have seen death with their own eyes, but God gave them a second chance, a second life,” Farhad Agajan says. Agajan works as an interpreter for refugees crossing into Greece. A second chance at life is what all refugees and immigrants crave. They look to Europe and the United States as a safe haven where they can prosper and give back to their new society. Sadly, Many Americans complain that refugees would be a strain on the American economy. The reality is much different with immigrants and refugees providing a net...

Nine middle school, high school and college students who set out to organize a protest in Lexington, KY around the Muslim ban got a response they never imagined. Some 1,000 people came out to join them in voicing their concerns on Sunday. Bayan Megariaf, one of the organizers from Tates Creek High School, is Libyan American and has become deeply concerned about the Trump Administration’s policies towards refugees, immigrants, American Muslims and those of Arab descent. “We just want people to know that without immigrants...

by James J. Zogby With a stroke of the pen on a misdirected and, I believe, malicious Executive Order (EO), President Donald Trump unleashed a dynamic that will, I fear, have consequences as far-reaching and damaging to my country and my community as the Bush Administration's wrong-headed responses to the 9/11 terror attacks. What the various provisions of the EO have done is deepen Arab popular anger at the United States, provide ISIS with a public relations gift, fuel Islamophobic fear here at home, while, at the same time, exacerbating sectarian tensions within the Arab community....

President Trump ushered in the first week of his presidency with 12 sweeping executive orders covering topics from immigration, to healthcare and trade in an attempt to make good on his ambitious campaign promises.

Below you can familiarize yourself with some of the most controversial executive orders, their feasibility and the problems they pose for Americans. For ways that you can make a difference in your community check out our Advocacy Road Map.

Border Wall

One of Candidate Trump’s biggest campaign promises was to "build the wall" along the U.S.- Mexican border to keep "illegals" out. On January...

There are important legal challenges moving forward against President Trump's Executive Order banning Syrian refugees and temporarily suspending our refugee program. Before, during, and after these legal challenges are considered by federal courts, AAI is calling for cities and states to pass resolutions condemning the Muslim Ban. Below we have provided draft text that Arab Americans and our allies can present to their state and city legislators to be introduced and voted on. It is important for individuals states step up to denounce President Trump's un-American...

The state of California is taking an early lead in fight back against President Trump's Muslim Ban and any chance of his administration implementing a registry of Arab Americans and/or American Muslims. There are a few bills currently in the state legislature that are strong statements against the policies of the administration that are targeting Muslims. Here’s a quick rundown with links to take action today. AAI commends the ACLU-Northern California’s statement about President Trump’s shameful Executive Order and support of these bills. You can find their statement here.

In Virginia, there are several ways Arab Americans can organize against problematic anti-immigrant, anti-refugee policies that are coming down from the Administration and from the Virginia state legislature. Indeed, Virginia bills are actually outflanking Trump to impose discriminatory immigration policies at the state level. While AAI continues to work nationally to challenge the legality, practicality, and implementation of the Muslim Ban – we're calling on Arab Americans in Virginia to work against these what's happening in their state. Please join the ACLU-Virginia's action alert to express your opposition to the following bills (analysis via the ACLU): ...

by Raneem Alkhatib Arab Americans across the country took immediate action over the weekend following President Trump’s Executive Order on immigration and refugees. The order was basically a Muslim ban, aiming to halt entry for citizens of seven Muslim majority countries. Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen are, so far, the countries on this list. Arab Americans, many of who are directly affected by this ban, went to their nearest airport to join in organic protests calling...